H.R. 2996

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Reform Act of 2017

This bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to modify the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) work requirements that apply to able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs).

The bill modifies the work requirements to:

• terminate the authority of the Department of Agriculture to waive the requirements, upon the request of a state agency, for individuals residing in an area that has an unemployment rate of over 10% or does not have a sufficient number of jobs to provide employment for the individuals;
• shorten from three months to one month the time limit for receiving benefits in a three-year period without meeting the requirements;
• decrease from 15% to 5% the portion of ABAWDs that a state may exempt from the requirements;
• allow participation in a supervised job search to satisfy the requirements;
• require states receiving SNAP funds to provide ABAWDs with opportunities to participate in a work program, a workfare program, or a supervised job search; and
• reduce SNAP allotments for states that fail to comply with requirements regarding eligibility disqualifications.

The bill also modifies the congressional declaration of policy to specify that the purpose of SNAP is to increase employment, to encourage healthy marriage, and to promote prosperous self-sufficiency (maintaining an income above the poverty level without services and benefits from the federal government).